New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-09
AN OLD SNAKE RESIDENT or TIE CIIl'
THRILLING STORY TOLD by PARK sUPERINTENp

rupvrrIxc STORY TOLD BY PARK sUPERINTEND-
TNT PARSONS AND ENGINEER KELLOGG.
superntcndent Parsons has in his Office in the Arsenal
In Central Park the skin of big black snake which he
intends preserving as trophy and the relic OF the last
reptle of this species Manhattan Island. lie ana
Chief Engineer Kellogg encountered and killed the snake
few DAYS ago IN Mornngside Park They were out one
morning together the rocky portion OF 'nc DIM o'o
hundred and sxtecnthst for the purpose OF MAKING
some estimate Of the changes necessary III carrying OUT
the improvements for completing the park as designed
by the Commissioners. Engineer Kellogg carred cane
which he poked into the holes in the rocks and Mr.
Porsons was provided with umbrella as the SKY was
overcast and threatening Suddenly Mr.. Kellogg VINO
was several feet Ia advance. gave cry OF alarm anu
jumped precpitatey from shelf OF rock more IMAM s'A
feet high.
"Gool gracious. ;" he exclaimed, did you see thati"
Mr. Parsons had observed nothing unusual, but Mr..
Kellogg Insisted that he had something like snake
glide from under his feet into clump or bushes inc
idea of live snake In the heart Of the city was rdcuIed
by Mr. Parsons being as preposterons as the huhs
OF one In ireland since the days OF St Patrick Inc
elevated railroads running around the park lie thought
would long since have driven snakes to comrt sucie
nothing else resulted in their death further search
was made for the object. but without success ana the
men were about abandon the search when Mr. Kellogg
again cried ont:
Look ont. Parsons! There II Is
dark gliding object nesting near his feet ana pro-
spring from the spot as quickly Mr. Kellogg had done
few moments before. The snake did not try again 10
escape coiled himself up IN IN ugly lump kissing
deGantly at his assdlants. NJ. Parsons opened lis
umbrella as sort shield and tried 10 poke the snake
with the ferue The snake struck at the strange looking
object and perforated the silk HIS small eyes eltcred
wickedly and his tongue projected in vicious fashion
Mr. Kellogg became excited and amel blow AZ tho
snake from behind. 1t missed him. but II ripped Ar
Parsonss umbrella while Mr. Kclloggs cane was shht
tered on a rocR Mr.. Kellogg trppcd and his hat Tell on
from the force OF his blow Then Mr. Parsons closed
his umbrella and struck the snake over the head mann
ing 1t. A few llthrown rocks closed the contest
though the snakes tail continued TO witch convusyey
for the rest OF the day. -, ,
Mr. Kellogg wiped the Precipitation from his brow rs
he looked obviously at his damaged hat ana sh"'o'oi
L.
remarked. . ,,, ~.
And have refined a new SILK umbrella added Mr.
Parsons. 49,, -.
Their violent gestures and strange actions had AZ
tracted number OF and boys in the nelghbofhv1'
who iook on the dead snake with establishment MT
Parsons prevailed OF the boys 10 ne rtiins
around the snake carry the body Ia the Ai-a me
REPTILE was nearly six feet long ana aplccd it anu
healthy Senator B!xby, who IA one OF thc iHe'Sl
property-owners near MOrningsde Park ana VINO ha'
been familiar with every rock there from oykop IN
nounced the snake old settler and the last o ,hc c
Of MohIcaus which had formerly Infested the DIM ne
associates its fat condition with the disappearance OF
sauatiers goats this vicinity the crushed carcassc W
which sometimes been found IN MOfHhlE7luc
Mr. Kellogg inclined to mink that the siah' it'
heen sccrcted In hole in the rocks In tofpoI slice
Manhattan Island fret settled by the DUTCH anu iI
only recently reappeaed to rccOnnoitre; but added
the veteran engineer, III bis snaheshlp "oh Us ioI
Dutchmen he made "a fatal mistake